Palmer replaces Hart as transportation vice-chair

Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian, has been named vice-chairman of the House transportation committee, replacing Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol. Hart stepped down from the post Friday to avoid a sanction from a special House Ethics Committee, which was on the verge of calling for his removal from the post when Hart offered to give it up voluntarily. The move ended a long investigation into an ethics complaint against Hart over charges that he violated his oath of office by fighting against paying his state and federal income taxes, which he contends are unconstitutional; repeatedly invoking legislative privilege to win delays in his personal tax fights; and illegally logging state school endowment land for logs to build his Athol home in 1996, and never paying an outstanding judgment in the case.